awing the boys into a state of respectful obedience and unusual attention to their studies."
The securing of a live hen and placing it in the teacher's desk, its sudden flight when he opened it surprising him as much as it delighted the boys, was one of the many diversions.
The school committee in 1831 were Josiah Hooker, William Hyde, and William Bliss. They after some effort secured as the next instructor Simeon H. Calhoun, a native of Boston, and a graduate of Williams College in 1829. His salary was the same as his predecessor's.
Mr. Calhoun was a gentleman of much worth and great sincerity of purpose, and was held in high esteem by the community. He had, before taking charge of the school, been informed of the vicious conduct of the scholars. In entering upon his duties at the commencement of his first term, in the presence of the school committee, he addressed the scholars in this characteristic manner: "Boys, if you are mild with me I shall be mild with you; if you are harsh with me I shall be harsh with you." After this gentle warning, the scholars were disposed to be on their good behavior. The school moved along smoothly, without discord. Mr. Calhoun was gifted with much religious fervor and loving kindness, enabling him to draw the scholars to him with much love and affection. He conducted the school for two years, until 1833, when he resigned. In 1834-36 he was a tutor in Williams College. In 1837 he went to Smyrna and became a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In 1844 he was transferred to the Syrian mission. He established a seminary on Mount Lebanon for the education of native teachers. After many years of service abroad, he returned to the United States. He died at Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1876, aged 72.
One of the scholars, now a citizen of Ohio, writes remember well the morning of Mr. Calhoun's advent. We all saw at once he was not to be trifled with; he said: